compass / circle
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compass
An instrument for drawing circles or measuring off distances, consisting of two arms that are movably connected at one end.
Für die Geometrie-Hausaufgabe brauchst du unbedingt einen Zirkel.
You absolutely need a compass for the geometry homework.
You can easily recognize the meaning of 'Zirkel' from the context. If it is about geometry, drawing, or school, the tool is meant. If the sentence is about a group of people with shared interests, it means the social circle.
Im Kunstunterricht haben wir gelernt, mit dem Zirkel perfekte Muster zu zeichnen.
In art class, we learned to draw perfect patterns with the compass.
When 'Zirkel' means the drawing instrument, it is often used with verbs like 'einen Kreis zeichnen' (to draw a circle), 'den Radius einstellen' (to set the radius), or 'den Zirkel einstechen' (to place the compass point).
Stell den Radius am Zirkel bitte auf fünf Zentimeter ein.
Please set the radius on the compass to five centimeters.
As a social group, 'Zirkel' (circle) is often combined with adjectives like 'exklusiv' (exclusive), 'literarisch' (literary), or 'politisch' (political). The phrase 'zum inneren Zirkel gehören' (to belong to the inner circle) is also very common.
Nur wenige Leute gehörten zum inneren Zirkel des Präsidenten.
Only a few people belonged to the president's inner circle.
The meaning as a 'Personengruppe' (group of people) is used more in a formal or elevated style. It often sounds more educated or exclusive.
Einmal im Monat kam der literarische Zirkel der Stadt zusammen.
Once a month, the city's literary circle came together.
group
'die Gruppe' and 'der Zirkel' can both mean several people who belong together. 'die Gruppe' is general and neutral: it can be large or small, loose or organized. 'der Zirkel' more often means a closed circle that meets regularly and has a shared interest, for example literature or politics. 'Zirkel' sounds more specific and a bit more formal or old-fashioned than 'Gruppe'. If you are just talking generally about several people, 'Gruppe' is more natural.
Der literarische Zirkel trifft sich jeden Donnerstag in der Bibliothek.
The literary circle meets every Thursday in the library.
Bei der Arbeit bildet die Chefin eine kleine Gruppe für das neue Technikprojekt.
At work, the boss is forming a small group for the new technology project.